Using old school funding system politically difficult

Associated Press - March 5, 2016 1:28 pm

Data from the Kansas Department of Education indicates reverting to an old public education funding system that would be acceptable to the Kansas Supreme Court would hurt schools in suburban Kansas City.

Data from the Kansas Department of Education indicates reverting to an old public education funding system that would be acceptable to the Kansas Supreme Court would hurt schools in suburban Kansas City.

The Kansas Supreme Court told lawmakers in February that restoring the state’s old funding formula would address the inequities between school districts. But the court left lawmakers room to explore other options.

The Wichita Eagle (http://bit.ly/1QScRLw) reports the old formula would help Wichita and other Sedgwick County school districts but several Johnson County districts stand to lose money. Lawmakers from the large Johnson County delegation are voicing opposition.

The old formula also would require the cash-strapped state to spend $35.6 million more for the 2016-2017 school year.